SHAH ALAM, Dec 19 (Bernama) — Indian companies specialising in Ayurveda Pharmaceutical Formulations have shown interest in conducting research and trials on health products to treat three common diseases affecting Malaysians.

Head of the technical team of LITNA (M) Sdn Bhd, V.Devindran, said that the Ayurvedic traditional system of medicine could play a critical role in modern times to treat diabetes, heart and cholesterol problems in Malaysia should there be an evidence-based approach.

“People in Malaysia are consuming Ayurvedic medicines and food supplements. Although many people use traditional medicines in Malaysia, they are not fully exploited especially in research and development. As such, I hope the skilled human capital carrying out research and development in Ayurvedic Medicine in India could come up with a proper solution to treat these diseases,” he told Bernama.

Devindran was one of the Malaysian delegates who attended the 4th World Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo held in Bangalore, India, recently.

The event was organised by, among others, the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) under the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) set up by the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Government of Karnataka.

Devindran said the International buyer-seller meet for traditional and Ayurvedic medicine, which took place at the congress, had provided a platform to develop and market his company products at the global level.

“LITNA is in talks with few Indian companies on joint research and development collaboration for herbal pharmaceutical products.

“We foresee a high technology and knowledge transfer to our company and also to develop more quality and innovative products to meet the growing demand of our customers,” he added.

Devindran said that he had met with potential Indian companies who were interested to import his company’s top products for the Indian Market.

He also said that Malaysia had an edge in terms of its position in Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) as traditional herbal products manufactured in the country would have easier access to the huge middle eastern market due to its Halal (permitted in Islam) endorsement.